1980s Recipes + Menus

Manhattan Windows on the World

October 1984

No collection of cocktails would be complete without the classic Manhattan, and this recipe, coming as it does from one of that borough’s most iconic restaurants, seems particularly appropriate. Windows on the World, which occupied the 107th floor of New York City’s World Trade Center until it was destroyed on September 11, 2001, was developed by Joe Baum, the legendary restaurateur who was also indirectly responsible for the modern cocktail revival. In 1985, he hired Dale DeGroff to create a “classic bar.” Little did DeGroff know when he started leafing through old drinks books that he was launching a movement.

In a cocktail shaker combine the vermouth, the rye and 4 ice cubes, stir the mixture until it is cold, and strain it into a cocktail glass. Garnish the drink with the lemon twist if desired. Makes 1 drink.